Building the Israeli Dream through Brain Gain
Six months to launch a successful start-up in Israel
“Israel’s main resource has always been its extraordinary human capital. Today, more than ever, the country needs a new generation of skilled and entrepreneurial olim (immigrants) to reach new heights [Gvahim means “heights” in Hebrew]” says Patricia Lahy-Engel, Director of TheHive by Gvahim (THbG). TheHive, Gvahim’s program for entrepreneurs, is an accelerator for startups that helps new immigrants and returning citizens to develop an idea into a viable business.
What are the main features of this six-month training program to launch a start-up in Israel? 1 / an office space in a creative co-working environment for all selected entrepreneurs; 2 / each team is assigned a mentor among some of the most influential entrepreneurs and investors in the market, which provides them with access to their networks and help them set and achieve their goals; 3 / interactive workshops with experts, investors and successful entrepreneurs to focus on different aspects of their project; 4 / many opportunities to present their project to investors , 5 / an active community of Alumni committed to the success of start-ups and willing to contribute to the community of Gvahim entrepreneurs .
During the first two programs in Tel Aviv, TheHive supported the development of 18 companies,established by 40 entrepreneurs from 25 different countries.
Tools tailored to newcomers
TheHive aims to address the challenges of entrepreneurs with a focus on offering the tools for newcomers in the Israeli market, who face unique challenges: lack of local resources and connections, language barriers, cultural differences … The program also provides an entry into international markets.
Among alumni, you may have heard of Parko, the first social mobile application that detects a parking space for users; Alumn.ie which allows alumni from top-notch institutions and universities to stay in touch, share and work online as community; or Ecobasalt, an innovative solution for the treatment of environmental disasters such as oil spill…
Gvahim is a nonprofit organization created in 2006 by the Rashi Foundation whose mission is to provide highly skilled new immigrants from around the world with the tools and training necessary for a successful professional and social Aliyah. Based in Tel Aviv and headed by Dr. Mickael Bensadoun, Gvahim acts as a social anchor and a professional advisor for Olim from all over the world.
Launch of TheHive3
The third program, TheHive3 was completed in October 2013 and includes the following projects: a line of “positive” cosmetics (Dermapositive), a collaborative storage space platform (CoStockage), a video games protection solution (TrulyProtect), a solution to help people fight their “addiction” to the Internet (Bob), a solution for the automatic production of videos for e-commerce websites ( MotionCooker ), a collaborative platform for high-tech recruiters to access a greater number of candidates ( Choocker ), factory built micro apartments solution for cities to develop habitats for everyone ( Lifepod ) , mobile tour application to explore cities ( Chronus ) and a platform for stores to attract new customers through the social networks of existing clients (Tag’By).
Participants were selected for the innovative nature and scalability of their project, but also for the project contribution to Israel and team potential. The entrepreneurs presented their project to a crowd of over 200 at Google Campus in Tel Aviv. A jury composed of representatives of venture capital funds and of the Office of the Chief Scientist noted the best projects. The public was also able to select the best start-ups and vote from their mobile phone.
The winning start-ups: Bob and CoStockage received a $5,000 award (sponsored by Golan Telecom) to use towards the production of a professional video to promote their project. Israel Science News is an official partner of TheHive by Gvahim
Esther Kagan
Israel Science Info
Photo Caption of the team: From left to right. Tal Kelm , Director THbG Ashdod, Yehuda Frenkel Ashdod City Council Member ( Industrial Development, Education ), Patricia Lahy -Engel , Director THbG , Moshic Mor, partner at Greylock VC and member of Gvahim board, Smadar Itskovitz , Head of Industrial Development Division, Ashdod Municipality, Mickael Bensadoun , Executive Director of Gvahim , Noemie Alliel , Deputy Director of THbG Ashdod
